Vinay Gaglani
LPC

Education

Licensed Professional Counselor since 1/2012; M.A. Professional Counseling -Illinois School of Professional Psychology, graduated 2001; Bsc. Human Biology - King's College, University of London, graduated 1997.

My work experience includes being a sexual assault treatment counselor for teens and adults, and a volunteer Rape Crisis Counselor/Medical advocate. As an advocate, I offered crisis counseling to survivors of sexual assault in the Emergency Room. Since graduating, I've spent most of my work experience as a Child and Family Therapist, offering individual, family and group therapy, as well as parenting support, to help children, teens, and their families heal and thrive after experiencing trauma caused by sexual and physical abuse, neglect, parental drug use, and involvement in the foster care system.

Services Offered

Individual and family therapy for children, teens and adults, parenting support.

Theoretical Orientation

I believe that, whether we're facing daily challenges of work and school, or overwhelming difficulties due to loss, violence, and other trauma, the biggest protective factors are our relationships with our families, friends, neighbors and community. There is little we cannot manage, and ultimately resolve, when we feel loved, supported and that we belong. And I believe this runs deep and true for all of us, regardless of our gender, age, ethnicity and race, and our sexual orientation.

For children and teens especially, strengthening the primary relationships with parents and siblings is a primary focus of our work, in addition to processing difficult situations and learning self-soothing and emotional management skills. I also work closely with parents to provide deep, non-judgemental support and offer solutions to parenting issues.

In working with individual adults and couples, I focus on resolving the patterns of relating that have early roots and have since become problematic. I also help to identify the damaging role of trauma and stress on our ability to feel, and engage at, our best, and explore and practice appropriate, healthy and sustaining solutions.

Embracing an integrative, strength-based approach to therapy, I utilize tools from developmental, psychodynamic, family systems, and cognitive-behavioral schools of thought to understand concerns. Complementing these therapeutic perspectives, I am trained in the evidence-based practices of Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, and I use their guiding principles in my work.